Holiday Yogis

So I teach this yoga class to seniors, every Monday morning, while my 18-mo old is at preschool. It started as a community service gig, and has transcended itself (and me) into something much more personal, more compassionate, and more important. Each week I find myself caring a little more about each of the individual seniors, ranging probably from 60 to 80 years old, each from a varied Asian or Southeast Asian country. Not one can understand me. But there I am, each week, talking my way through the poses and sequences. Worrying about someone fainting.

The first week, I bent down to scratch my ankle, and the class followed.

Today, for a special treat, after I'd taught, I got a round of hugs from the ladies. They wished me happy holidays, happy new year, and a happy toddler throughout. That felt really great.

It made me realize, suddenly, that that might be the way for all of us to "brave" our families through the holidays. Call it spreading a little Zen around. For a lot of my friends, it's the in-laws that set them over the edge.. for me, it's a little closer to home. It's in the genes. Civility and listening just weren't in the DNA.

Hilarious in-law stories are heading my way, certainly, from various parties when the holidays blur into the New Year, and I so look forward to those.. but in the meantime, I'll be thinking of all of them as we dive into the season.. arms first.